Los Altos: Help Prevent Storm Drain Flooding in Your Neighborhood with These Quick Tips

LOS ALTOS, CA -- The City of Los Altos is asking for residents' help in keeping storm drains clear during times like now, when they could become clogged by debris generated by heavy rains.

Street drains are critical to keeping neighborhoods from flooding when it rains; when leaves collect in gutters and block drains, water can back up and cause ponding that can flood yards and homes.

You can help prevent flooding in your neighborhood with a few small maintenance actions on your property:

Keep leaves and debris out of drains:

• Avoid piling yard waste such as fallen leaves on your property where it could wash into city drains. Keep yard waste in a waste bin or other container.
• Use a rake or broom to remove leaves and debris that may collect on the tops of storm drains, and then place the material in your yard waste container.
• If the drain is still clogged after you’ve removed the debris, call Maintenance Services at (650) 947-2785. After hours callers should dial (650) 947-2770.

Maintain gutters and downspouts:

• Be sure to clean the gutters and drainage downspouts attached to your roof twice a year to ensure a well-flowing drainage system.
• Inspect for leaks or damage to rain gutters that could cause a flat roof to flood.
• Direct flows from downspouts away from your foundation, without discharging flows to adjacent properties.

The City of Los Altos has a free sandbag station to help residents protect property from flooding during the rainy season. The self-serve sandbag station is located in the parking lot of McKenzie Park at 707 Fremont Avenue in Los Altos. The station is accessible daily and will remain open through the end of the season. Bags, sand and shovels are all provided.

Also, it's illegal to dump or to allow any material to enter the drainage system, as it leads to blockages. To report illegal dumping, call the Los Altos Police Department at (650) 947-2770.

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